Sea World Suspends Shamu Shows, Twitter Account Amid Trainers Killing

As Sea World faces intense scrutiny after a 12,000 pound killer whale killed a trainer in front of horrified onlookers Wednesday, the theme park’s San Diego location has canceled shows, and the communications team has shut down the @shamu Twitter feed. The company’s blog has remained active.

Meanwhile, former “Price is Right” host and longtime animal rights activist Bob Barker is urging Sea World to release its sea animals.

“Their big task is to be honest with the public and the media as they conduct their forensic study on why the accident happened, because that will determine how SeaWorld is perceived in the future,” Dennis Speigel, president of Cincinnati-based International Theme Park Services Inc. told the Orlando Business Journal. We’ve reached out to Sea World’s PR team for comment. More to come…

MORE: At a press conference today, Jim Atchison, president and chief executive officer of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, said “all direct action with animals was suspended” at all three parks after the incident. However, killer whale shows will resume at the parks Saturday, although trainers will not be allowed in the water.

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